Killing of Walter Scott
On April 4, 2015, Walter Scott, a 50-year-old black man, was fatally shot by Michael Slager, a local police officer in North Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Slager had stopped Scott for a non-functioning brake light.[1][2] Slager was charged with murder after a video surfaced showing him shooting Scott from behind while Scott was fleeing, which contradicted Slager's report of the incident. The racial difference led many to believe that the shooting was racially motivated, generating a widespread controversy.[3]
The case was independently investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division conducted their own investigations. In June 2015, a South Carolina grand jury indicted Slager on a charge of murder. He was released on bond in January 2016. In late 2016, a five-week trial ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. In May 2016, Slager was indicted on federal charges including violation of Scott's civil rights and obstruction of justice. In a May 2017 plea agreement, Slager pleaded guilty to federal charges of civil rights violations, and he was returned to jail pending sentencing.[4][5] In return for his guilty plea, the state's murder charges were dropped.[5]
In December 2017, Slager was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the judge determining the underlying offense was second-degree murder.[6]
At 9:30 a.m., April 4, 2015, in the parking lot of an auto parts store at 1945 Remount Road,[19] Slager stopped Scott for a non-functioning third brake light.[20] Scott was driving a 1991 Mercedes, and, according to his brother, was headed to the auto parts store when he was stopped.[21] The video from Slager's dashcam shows him approaching Scott's car, speaking to Scott, and then returning to his patrol car. Scott exited his car and fled with Slager giving chase on foot.[22][23]
Slager pursued Scott into a lot behind a pawn shop at 5654 Rivers Avenue,[19] and the two became involved in a physical altercation. At some point before or during the struggle, Slager fired his Taser, hitting Scott.[24] Scott fled, and Slager drew his .45-caliber Glock 21 handgun, firing eight rounds at him from behind.[25] The coroner's report stated that Scott was struck a total of five times: three times in the back, once in the upper buttocks, and once on an ear.[26] During Slager's state trial, forensic pathologist Lee Marie Tormos testified that the fatal wound was caused by a bullet that entered Scott's back and struck his lungs and heart.[27]
Immediately following the shooting, Slager radioed a dispatcher, stating, "Shots fired and the subject is down. He grabbed my Taser."[24]
